Target throwing mechanism



Sept. 22, 1942. H. F. MossBERG TARGET THROWING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 20,1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mwm ' INVENTOR Haroldiflflrsskerg.

ORNEY H. F. MOSSBERG TARGET THROWING MECHANISM Sept. 22, 1942.

Filed Feb. 20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Haraldli'lfissbery.

Patented Sept. 22, 1942 UNETED STATES at or ies TARGET THROWINGMECHANISDI Application February 20, 1940, SerialNo. 319,853

17 Claims.

This invention relates to target throwing mechanisms, and moreparticularly to improvements in such mechanisms which are especiallyadapted to project frangible disc-like targets, such as are commonlytermed clay pigeons, into the air to be used for target practice by amarksman.

In an application Serial #311,531, filed December 29, 1939, for a patenton an improvement in trap guns, a target throwing mechanism, or trapportion, is shown which is adapted to be detachably and pivotallysecure-d upon a firearm portion and to cooperate therewith, and thisapplication may be considered as a continuation in part thereof, themechanism shown herein being an improvement over the target throwingmechanism, or trap portion, disclosed therein, and which is adapted tobe detachably mounted in its entirety upon a gun barrel, or othersupporting member.

Most of the target throwing mechanisms now in general use are bulky,expensive to manufacture, in many instances being complicated instructure, and inconvenient to carry and use. Many of these mechanismsare of such construction that they require the services of an individualother than the marksman to actuate them, thereby preventing their usewhen such an individual is not available.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved targetthrowing mechanism whereby the marksman can conveniently actuate it tothrow targets without such operation seriously interfering with his useof a firearm, thus obviating the services of a second person.

Another object of this invention is to provide a target throwingmechanism having conveniently actuated means in its structure whereby itis adapted to be readily and detachably mounted upon the barrel of thefirearm, or upon a similarly shaped holder, such as a bar or rod, whichare either adapted to be held in the hand of the user, mounted on atripod, or stuck into the ground and be vertically adjusted to positionit to the user.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a target throwingmechanism of the above, or analogous, nature wherein an improved form ofclamping member is provided to detachably secure the mechanism to acylindrical bar, such as a relatively thin walled shotgun barrel, andwhich, due to its structure, evenly distributes pressure over arelatively large area, whereby any possibility of the bar, or gunbarrel, being distorted is avoided.

A further object of this invention is to provide 1 in a target throwingmechanism an improved rod clamping device of the above nature which isadapted to also form the supporting means for the operative targetthrowing parts of the mechanism.

A still further object is to provide an improved target throwingmechanism which will be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, simple inconstruction, compact, of pleasing appearance, and which is veryconvenient, efiicient, and durable in use.

With these and other objects in View, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, there has been illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings one form in which the invention may be conveniently andadvantageously embodied in practice.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like partsthroughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an improved target throwingmechanism mounted on a gun barrel and embodying the features andprinciples of this invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same, parts thereof being shown inanother position by dotted lines;

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the same;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2 Figure '7is a sectional View taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a general view of the mechanism mounted on various supports;

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate, by sectional views similar to Figures 4and, 6, a somewhat different arrangement of clamp'screws; and

Figure 11 illustrates a somewhat different form of leaf spring adaptedto releasably hold a target in the frame.

In accordance with the objects of this invention, the target throwingmechanism shown in the drawings is adapted to throw frangible targetsiii of disc-like form, as indicated by dotted lines in Figures 1 and 7,and preferably of the form shown in a copending application Serial No.319,857 filed February 20, 1940. Such targets are thrown out into theair to be fired at by a marksman and preferably fly through the air withtheir circular bases generally in a horizontal plane presenting theirside wall as a target area to the marksman and, when hit, shatter into anumber of pieces to visually indicate, while they are in the air, such aresult. In order that the marksman may personally, and withoutassistance of a second person, actuate this mechanism to throw suchtarget into the air in an efficient manner, the mechanism is adapted tobe securely clamped upon either the barrel ll of the firearm being used,or a bar I2 adapted to be fastened either to a handle I3, or to one of apair of telescoping vertical rods l4 adapted tobe stuck into the ground,or which may be suitably supported on a tripod |5, as indicated inFigures 1 and 8, to position the mechanism adjacent and convenient tothe user in any desired gun firing position.

The means, whereby the mechanism may be conveniently and readily securedto a bar |2 to be firmly supported thereby, or to a shotgun barrelhaving the usual relatively thin walls, and in order not to possiblydistort this barrel by clamping pressure, comprises an elongated clampincluding an upper member l9 and a lower member IT. The members l6 and Hare fastened together, when clamped about the cylindrical barrel H, orbar |2, by bolts I8 and I9, bolts 2| and 22, and screws 23 and 24, whichpass through suitable laterally projecting correspond ing lugs 25, and26 provided on the members It and H respectively. By substantiallyelongating the members l6 and IT, as shown, the clamping pressure isdistributed over a considerable lengthwise area f the gun barrel H, orbar l2, whereby the clamp will be firmly held thereto and no distortionof the gun barrel will be experienced. By forming the elongated clamp ofupper and lower members l and i1 respectively, which may be entirelyseparate from each other, it is possible to apply the same at anyposition upon a gun barrel, or the like, without removing any upstandingsights, or like parts, previously positioned thereon. By disposing thejoint between the upper l6 and lower I! members of the clampsubstantially on the level of the axis, or medial line, of the barrelII, the upper member I6 and the heads of the bolts l3, l9, 2|, 22 and ofthe screws 23, 24 will not appreciably extend above the upper surface ofthe barrel and interfere with the use of the usual sights or distractthe user when sighting the gun.

The target throwing means of this mechanism is adapted to receive andreleasably hold the disclike targets l9 thereon, slidably positionedbetween, and in, opposing channels 21 and 28 formed along the side edgesof a sheet metal frame 29. The channels 21 and 28 may be made by bendingup and over the edges of the material of which the frame 29 is made, andextend parallel to each other rearwardly from the frame front end 3| adesired amount. Rearward of the terminating ends 32 and 33, of thechannels 2'! and 28 respectively, vertical flanges 34 and 35 areprovided, the flange 35, with the frame 29, converges rearwardly towardthe other flange 34 and to a flat extension 36 and acts as a rearwardstop for the target l9. A light tensioned leaf spring 3'! is fastened atits forward end, as by spot welding, brazing, or soldering, to theforward end of the frame on the outer surface of the side wall of thechannel 21, and extends rearwardly along this surface to a hole 38formed in the wall of said channel 21. The spring 31 is bent inwardly atthe hole 38, and has its end 39 extended through the hole 38 andtransversely over the upper surface of the frame 29 a short amount, tolie in the path of the base rim of the target It to releasably hold thetarget in the frame 21 against the stop flange 35. The arrangement ofthe spring 31 and the cooperation of its end 39 with the rim of thetarget I!) is such that the end 39 will be pushed outwardly by the rimof the target In to release the same when the frame 29 is rapidly swungto throw the target forwardly therefrom.

The flat frame extension 36 is provided with a hole 4| to receive ajournal boss 42 formed on a washer 43 whereby the frame 29 is pivotedabout a screw 44 which secures the washer 43 to a bracket 45. Thebracket 45 extends transversely across and beneath the lower clampmember H to be secured thereto by the screws 23 and 24 which extenddownwardly from the memher I! through spacing collars 46 and 41respectively, and screw thread into opposite ends of the bracket 45.When tightly screw-threaded into the ends of the bracket'45, the screws23 and 24 act as common means to secure the bracket 45 to the lowerclamp member I! and to clamp the barrel II, or bar l2, between themembers l6 and IT.

A tongue 48 extends rearwardly from the flat frame extension 39 and ispivoted to the forward end of an elongated screw-threaded rod 49 by apin 59. The screw-threaded portion of the rod 49 is screw-threaded intoa thumb nut 5| which has a tapered, or like, extension 52 thereon aboutwhich the forward end of a relatively heavy tensioned coiled spring 53is tightly wound to fasten it thereto, and to permit rotation of the nut5| relativel thereto. The spring 53 extends rearwardly from the nut 5|and has its other end secured to the rear end of the clamp member I! byhooking the last coil 54 of the spring 53 under a lug 55 struckdownwardly from the material of the member I1 at its rear end. Swinginof the frame 29 rearwardly into the position indicated in dotted linesin Figure 2 greatly increases the tension of the spring 53 by stretchingit and, therefore, when the frame 29 is released from such position,considerable centrifugal force is exerted to throw a target I9 from theframe. It is obvious that the spring tension can be varied bymanipulation of the thumb nut 5|.

Means is herein shown to releasably hold the frame 29 in its targetthrowing position, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2, and thismeans comprises a catch member 56 formed from the material of the frame29 at the upper edge of the flange 34, or secured thereto, as bywelding, brazing, soldering, or the like. The catch member 59 isdisposed on the frame 29 in position to be engaged, in a notch 51 formedtherein, by a sear-like dependin end 58 of an elongated trigger member59. The trigger member 59 is secured to and slidably supported on thelower clamp member I! by the bolts 2| and 22 which pass downwardlythrough the corresponding lugs 25 and 29, respectively formed on themembers H5 and I1, then through spacing collars 6| and 62 and screwthread into nuts 63 and 64 respectively. The collars 6| and 62 each havea cylindrical journal portion 65 (see Fig. 4) which lies in and passesthrough a longitudinally elongated hole 66 formed in the trigger member59 at each bolt 2| and 22, see Figure 4. The bolts 2| and 22, therefore,act as common means to slidably secure the trigger member 59 to thelower clamp l1 and, through the collars 5| and 62, to clamp a barrel H,or bar |2, between the clamp members l6 and H. The bolts I8 pass throughcorresponding lugs 25 and 26 and screw thread into nuts 61 and 68respectively, to assist the bolts 2| and 22 in clamping a barrel I I, orbar I2, between the members I6 and II. A coiled spring 69 is provided tomaintain the sear-like end 58 of the trigger member 59 in position toengage the catch 56. The spring 69 is shown herein secured at one end tothe bolt 22 and at its other end to the trigger member 59 through a holeII provided therein for this purpose. By pulling upon a finger piece I2,formed on the rear end of the trigger member 59, the catch 56 isreleased and the frame 29 will swing forwardly under the urge of thespring 53. By using the lower clamp member IT as the common support forthe frame pivot 44, the spring 53, and the trigger member 59, theseparts may be disposed closely to the undersurface of the barrel II toform a compact assembly, which can be conveniently inserted into a guncase. Being so disposed in underslung relation to the barrel I I, thetarget throwing mechanism will not interfere with the use of the gun,should it be left assembled thereto, for other than target practice.

In Figures 9 and 10, the bolts 8|, 8|, and 82, 82, and screws 63 and 84,corresponding to the bolts I8, I9 and 2|, 22 and the screws 23, 24respectively, pass upwardly through the several parts instead ofdownwardly, as shown in Figures 1-6 inclusively. In this arrangement,the bolts 8| pass upwardly through the lugs 26 and 25 and have theircooperating nuts 85 on top of the lugs 25. The bolts 82 pass upwardlythrough the collars 6| and 62 and screw thread into the lugs 26, tosecure the trigger member 59 to the clamp member I! and then passthrough the lugs 25 and are secured thereto by nuts 86 to clamp themembers I9 and I! onto the barrel II, or bar I2. The screws 83, 84 passupwardly through the ends of the bracket 45 and the collars 46, 97 andscrew thread into the lugs 26, and then pass through the lugs 25 and aresecured thereto by nuts 81 to clamp the clamp members I6 and I1 onto thebarrel II, or bar I2. In order to insure tight contact of the flatextension 36 of the frame 29 against the undersurface of the bracket 45a spring washer 8B is provided and disposed between the extension 36 andthe washer 43. The provision of the spring washer 98 insures somewhatsmoother action of the device as it compensates for wear between theadjacent parts at this point.

The leaf spring 96 shown in Figure 11 is somewhat different in form thanthe spring 31 previously described. The leaf spring 90 has one of itsends 9| bent over the end of the flange forming a part of the channel 2?and extend along the outer surface thereof to a hole 92 where it is bentinwardly to secure the spring 99 thereto. Its other portion 93 is bowedoutwardly away from the channel 21 over the frame 29 and extended alongthe inner surface of the channel a substantial amount to hold a targetIn in the frame 29. As the target I is thrown from the frame 29 itcompresses the bowed out portion 93 of the spring 99 which therebyexerts a pressure against the target rim engaged thereby insuring asmooth and even discharge of the target from the frame. Due to the lightpressure exerted by the spring portion 93, the target I9 has a lightfriction imposed thereon as it leaves the frame whereby it is given aspinning motion which greatly assists its smooth and even flight throughthe air.

Briefly the operation of the mechanism of this invention is as follows:The first operation is to secure the mechanism to either a gun barrel I,or bar I2 adapted to be held by the handle I3, or to be supported upon arod I4 adjacent to the user, by means of the clamp I6, II. A target I9is then placed upon the frame 29 and slid rearwardly to engage theflange 35 whereupon the spring end 99 will snap in the forward paththereof to releasably hold it in place. The frame 29 is then swungbackwardly upon its pivot at the screw 44 into the position shown indotted lines in Figure 2. The catch member 56 at its notch 51 will thenbe engaged by the sear-like depending end 58 of the trigger member 59thus placing the mechanism in position to throw the target I9 into theair, The catch 56, and with it the frame 29, is then released bypressure upon the finger piece I2 to free the catch 56 from the member56, whereupon the frame 29 will be rapidly and forcefully swungforwardly by the spring 53 and the target I!) thrown therefrom bycentrifugal force. As the target If! is so acted upon, it presses thespring end 39 outwardly to release itself therefrom.

Preferably the clamp I6, I! is from two to six inches long, therebybeing approximately from three to eight times longer than its diameter,to

insure that it will cover sufficient area to obviate any danger ofdistorting a thin walled shotgun barrel I I, or of wobbling upon a barI2 when it is actuated, its action, due to the relatively heavy spring53, tending to loosen the mechanism from, or twist it about, itssupporting member, the barrel I I, or bar I2. The provision of a targetthrowing mechanism which is adapted to be detachably secured either to abarrel .I I, or to a bar I2, permits its disposition in the mostconvenient location in respect to the user and whereby it may beactuated by him personally and without assistance from another, eitherwhen he is standing, kneeling, or lying prone, for target practice.Having all the operable parts attached to a common supporting memberwhich forms one member, II, of the means to clamp the mechanism to abarrel I I, or bar I2, greatly increases the convenience and efficiencyof a mechanism of this nature and makes it one which is relativelysimple in structure and inexpensive to manufacture. If desired the barI2, when supported upon a rod I4, may be pivoted thereto as at I3whereby the mechanism may be tilted at any angle.

While there has been shown and described herein one form of an improvedtarget throwing mechanism, it is to be understood that the invention maybe embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit andessential attributes thereof. It is therefore desired that the presentembodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and it will be further understood that each and every novelfeature and combination thereof, present in, or possessed by, themechanism herein disclosed, forms a part of the invention included inthis application.

What is claimed as new and for which it is desired to secure LettersPatent, is:

1. In a target throwing mechanism, a target holding frame, means toactuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, clamp means includingseparate upper and lower clamp members adapted when drawn together toembrace a supporting member to detachably secure the mechanism thereto,and common means to draw said clamp members together about thesupporting member and to secure said frame to the lower one of saidclamp members.

2. In a target throwing mechanism, a target holding frame, means toactuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, clamp means includingseparate upper and lower clamp members adapted when drawn together toembrace a supporting member to detachably secure the mechanism thereto,common means to draw said clamp members together about the supportingmember and to secure said frame to the lower one of said clamp members,and other means to draw said clamp members together and to secure theactuating means to the lower one of said clamp members.

3. In a target throwing mechanism, a target holding frame, means toactuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, and clamp meansincluding separate upper and lower clamp members adapted, when drawntogether, to embrace a supporting member to detachably secure the entiremechanism thereto, said frame and its actuating means being secured toone of said clamp members,

4. In a target throwing mechanism, a target holding frame, means toactuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, including means topivotally support said frame, spring means extending rearwardly fromsaid pivoting means to urge the frame forwardly to throw a targettherefrom, a finger operated trigger member extending to the rear ofsaid spring means, cooperating catch means between said frame and saidtrigger member, a releasable clamp having a lower member to which saidframe pivoting means, said spring means, and said trigger member aresecured, said lower clamp member being elongated from closely adjacentthe rear end of said trigger member to beyond said pivoting means andadapted to partially surround and engage a supporting member over aconsiderable area of its peripheral surface, and means to detachablysecure said lower clamp member to the supporting member.

5. In a target throwing mechanism, a target holding frame, means toactuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, including means topivotally support said frame, spring means extending rearwardly fromsaid pivoting means to urge the frame forwardly to throw a targettherefrom, a finger operated trigger member extending to the rear ofsaid spring means, cooperating catch means between said frame and saidtrigger member, a releasable clamp having a lower member to which saidframe pivoting means, said spring means, and said trigger member aresecured, said lower clamp member being elongated from closely adjacentthe rear end of said trigger member to beyond said pivoting means, saidclamp also including an upper member, and means to draw said clampmembers together to embrace a supporting member therebetween, wherebysaid lower clamp member extending lengthwise along and over aconsiderable area of the peripheral surface of supporting member willprotect the supporting member against strain and distortion imposed byactuatending to the rear of said spring means, cooperating catch meansbetween said frame and said trigger member, a releasable clamp elongatedfrom closely adjacent the rear end of said trigger member to closelyadjacent said pivoting means and including separate upper and lowerclamp members adapted to embrace and grip a supporting member disposedtherebetween over a considerable lengthwise area of its peripheralsurface, and common means to draw said clamp member together to clampthe supporting member therebetween and to secure said frame pivotingmeans to the lower one of said clamp members.

'7. In a target throwing mechanism, a target holding frame, means toactuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, including means topivotally support said frame, spring means extending rearwardly fromsaid pivoting means to urge the frame forwardly to throw a targettherefrom, a finger operated trigger member extending to the rear ofsaid spring means, cooperating catch means between said frame and saidtrigger member, a releasable clamp, elongated from closely adjacent therear end of said trigger member to closely adjacent said pivoting meansand including separate upper and lower clamp members adapted to embraceand grip a supporting member disposed therebetween over a considerablelengthwise area of its peripheral surface, common means to draw saidclamp members together to clamp the supporting member therebetween andto secure said frame pivoting means to the lower one of said clampmembers, common means to draw said clamp members together to clamp thesupporting member therebetween and to secure said trigger member to thelower one of said clamp members, and means to secure said spring meansto the lower one of said clamp members.

8. In a target throwing mechanism, a swingable target holding frame,means to actuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, pivoting meansfor said frame, releasable trigger means to hold said frame in targetthrowing position, a clamp comprising upper and lower members adapted toreceive a holding member therebetween, means to draw said upper andlower members together to clamp a holding member disposed therebetween,said frame pivoting means, said trigger means, and said frame actuatingmeans being secured to one of said clamp members to be supported therebyclosely adjacent to the holding member.

9. In a target throwing mechanism, upper and lower clamp members adaptedto partially surround the upper and lower portions respectively of anelongated supporting part, said lower member being elongated lengthwiseto extend along the part to engage a considerable surface area thereof,means to draw said upper and lower clamp members together to clamp thesupporting part therebetween, a target receiving frame pivoted to an endof one of said members, spring means reacting between said frame and theother end of the same clamp member to bias said frame forwardl of itspivot, a catch on said frame, and a trigger member, adapted to engagesaid catch to hold said frame rearwardly of its pivot against the actionof said spring, secured to the same clamp member for sliding movementrelatively thereto to release the catch therefrom.

10. In a target throwing mechanism, upper and lower clamp membersadapted to partially surround the upper and lower portions respectivelyof an elongated supporting part, means to draw said clamp memberstogether to clamp the supporting part therebetween, a target receivingframe, means to pivot said frame to one end of one of the clamp members,spring means reacting between said frame adjacent its pivot and theother end of the same clamp member to bias said frame forwardly of itspivot, a catch on said frame, and a trigger member secured to the sameclamp member to engage said catch to hold said frame against the actionof said spring, said frame, said spring means and said trigger memberbeing disposed closely adjacent to said supporting part when said clampmembers are clamped thereabout.

11. In combination, a gun barrel, a target throwing mechanism, meanscomprising upper and lower clamp members each adapted to partiallysurround said gun barrel, means to draw said clamp members together toclamp said gun barrel therebetween, said target throwing mechanism beingin its entirety secured to and supported by the lower clamp member to bedisposed in an underslung position in respect to said barrel and closelyadjacent to the underside thereof when the same is clamped between thesaid clamp members.

12. In combination, a gun barrel, a target throwing mechanism, meanscomprising upper and lower clamp members each adapted to partiallysurround said gun barrel, means to draw said clamp members together toclamp said gun barrel therebetween, said target throwing mechanismincluding a swingable target holding frame, a trigger, and spring meansadapted toact on said frame to swing it to throw a target therefrom,means on said lower clamp member to which said frame is pivoted, meanson said lower clam member to support said trigger, and means on saidlower clamp member to which said spring means is secured.

13. In combination, a gun barrel, a target throwing mechanism, meanscomprising upper and lower clamp members each adapted to partiallysurround said gun barrel, means to draw said clamp members together toclamp said gun barrel therebetween, said target throwing mechanismincluding a swingable target holding frame, a trigger, and spring meansadapted to act on said frame to swing it to throw a target therefrom,means to pivotally secure said frame to said lower clamp member, meansto secure said trigger to said lower clamp member, and means to securesaid spring means to said lower clamp member.

14. In combination, a gun barrel, a target throwing mechanism, meanscomprising upper and lower clamp members each adapted to partiallysurround said gun barrel, means to draw said clamp members together toclamp said gun barrel therebetween, said target throwing mechanismincluding a svvingable target holding frame, a trigger, and spring meansadapted to act on said frame-to swing it to throw a target therefrom,means to pivotally secure said frame to said lower clamp member, andmeans to secure said spring means to said lower clamp member, one of themeans to draw said clamp members together being arranged to secure saidtrigger to said lower clamp member.

15. In combination, a gun barrel, a target throwing mechanism, meanscomprising upper and lower clam members each adapted to partiallysurround said gun barrel, means to draw said clamp members together toclamp said gun barrel therebetween, said target throwing mechanism beingin its entirety secured to and supported by the lower clamp member to bedisposed in an underslung position in respect to said barrel and closelyadjacent to the underside thereof when the same is clamped between thesaid clamp members, said target throwing mechanism including a pivotedframe for securing and supporting a disc-like target, spring means torapidly swing said frame to throw a target therefrom, said frame havingside flanges between which the base of said target may slide, said sideflanges converging toward each other toward the pivot point of saidframe, resilient means to engage a disc-like target and releasably holdit on said frame between the side flanges at the converging portionsthereof, catch means on said frame, a trigger to engage said catch meansto hold said frame against the action of said spring means to swing it,means to pivotally secure said frame to said lower clamp member, meansto secure said trigger to said lower clamp member, and means to securesaid spring means to said lower clamp member.

16. In combination, a supporting bar, a target throwing mechanismincluding an actuating trigger, means to secure said mechanism to saidbar including upper and lower clamp members and means to draw said clampmembers together to clamp the bar therebetween, said target throwingmechanism being in its entirety secured to and supported by one of saidclamp members to be disposed spaced from and closely adjacent to thesupporting bar when the same is clamped between the clamp members.

17. A target throwing mechanism comprising a target receiving frame,means to actuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, a trigger torelease said frame actuating means, and clamp means including separateupper and lower clamp members adapted, when drawn together, todetachably secure the entire target throwing mechanism to a supportingbar clamped between said clamp members, said frame, its actuating means,and said trigger being secured to one of said clamp members.

HAROLD F. MOSSBERG.

